Wisconsin School Districts Experience "Swatting" Hoaxes on Wednesday

Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 -- 3:00 PM

A report about a shooting at the Wausau East High School was a hoax.

According to the Wausau Police Department and Wausau School District, a call came into dispatch around 9:30am about multiple people shot in the bathroom of Wausau East High School.

Authorities quickly responded and it was determined the report was false and authorities believe the school was part of a swatting scam. Swatting is a prank that involves deceiving a law enforcement agency, causing a large police response.

The Wausau School District is currently on Spring Break, so the only students and staff in the building were athletes and coaches that were practicing. Some custodians were also in the building.

There were reports of swatting pranks at several other districts in Wisconsin including Superior, Spooner, Rice Lake, and Chippewa Falls.

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